Towards A Free Radical Theory Of Graying: Melanocyte Apoptosis In The Aging Human Hair Follicle As An Indicator Of Oxidative Stress Induced Tissue Damage

The study hypothesized that hair bulb melanocytes are particularly vulnerable to free radical-induced aging due to continuous melanin synthesis generating high oxidative stress. Analysis of human scalp skin anagen hair follicles from graying individuals revealed melanocyte apoptosis and increased oxidative stress in the pigmentary unit. The "common" deletion, a marker of oxidative stress damage, was most prominent in graying follicles. Unpigmented hair follicles grew better than pigmented ones, and pigmented follicles exposed to oxidative stress showed increased melanocyte apoptosis. The findings concluded that oxidative stress leads to premature aging and apoptosis of hair follicle melanocytes, making graying hair follicles a valuable model for studying oxidative stress and aging, and testing antiaging treatments.